The Web is a funny place. I started out browsing on "The New Frugality" based on a Time Magazine's cover by the same caption, and I ended up at Your Money or Your Life. Along the way I read scores of reader's comments regarding their take on what being frugal meant to them.
What I learned is that, a lot of people confuse being cheap with being frugal. From what I read, most of the people who thought they were being frugal were (technically) really being cheap. This isn't a judgment, just an observation that is important to clarify.
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Sunday, May 17, 2009
Change Your Atmosphere
Today in church I was in a bit of an odd mood. We were late again, and I wasn't too crazy about that. However the bishop's son was preaching and that immediately lifted my mood. I hadn't heard him preach in a while, so it was good to have him back.
His sermon was about how to be aware of atmospheres and their potential power over us (my inference). In these economically trying times, it's...now let's stop right there. Read the beginning of that last sentence. Think about how it made you feel. Now, you had one of two (group) reactions. You may have thought, oh yeah, I'm still on unemployment and I'm hanging on. Or perhaps you may have thought, yeah it's rough for some people, but I'm doing okay.
My point is that if you watch (or listen to) CNN all day, you maybe begin to feel as if the world is ending. To be sure, this recession is real to a lot of people, myself included. Still, recession or not, you either have cash flow problems, or you don't. If you don't...then this may be academic for you. If you do, then you'll have to figure out how to improve you're cash flow. There are tons of sites and books on how to do that, and that's beyond the scope of this post.
What the pastor reminded me of, was the need to BE AWARE of the atmosphere we are in and it's affect it has on us. It's a lot easier to resolve the issues of our times if we seek atmospheres that build us up, rather than tear us down. Do whatever you must to make sure your daily atmosphere is as positively charged as possible.
His sermon was about how to be aware of atmospheres and their potential power over us (my inference). In these economically trying times, it's...now let's stop right there. Read the beginning of that last sentence. Think about how it made you feel. Now, you had one of two (group) reactions. You may have thought, oh yeah, I'm still on unemployment and I'm hanging on. Or perhaps you may have thought, yeah it's rough for some people, but I'm doing okay.
My point is that if you watch (or listen to) CNN all day, you maybe begin to feel as if the world is ending. To be sure, this recession is real to a lot of people, myself included. Still, recession or not, you either have cash flow problems, or you don't. If you don't...then this may be academic for you. If you do, then you'll have to figure out how to improve you're cash flow. There are tons of sites and books on how to do that, and that's beyond the scope of this post.
What the pastor reminded me of, was the need to BE AWARE of the atmosphere we are in and it's affect it has on us. It's a lot easier to resolve the issues of our times if we seek atmospheres that build us up, rather than tear us down. Do whatever you must to make sure your daily atmosphere is as positively charged as possible.
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Another Birthday
Yesterday, I ticked off yet another year. It was an interesting one. I found out when I attempted to reserve a car via Zipcar.com, that my driver's license had just expired. Thinking I was clever, I zipped to the Registry of Motor Vehicles website to renew my license online. I was rejected because my photograph was more than nine years old. Now, you know you're a grown man (or woman) when the RMV tells you your current license photo is more than nine years old.
Since driving would mean breaking the law, I ended up taking the kids on the bus (for the first time) to a RMV branch at the local mall. God bless public transportation. When I arrived at the RMV, I saw a sign on the wall which read, happy birthday, andthe Registry no longer sends out license expiration reminders, so please checks your license.
The night before, I had gone through my old journals to read other interesting entries from (or around) prior birthdays. One birthday (also a Friday made famous by a movie) my wallet got stolen, and my present was minus $500 in my bank account. During another birthday, a good friend I hadn't seen in a few years because he was in Japan, blew into town unexpectedly and took me to a lovely brunch. Yesterday, was the first one I spent with my kids, very nice indeed.
Since driving would mean breaking the law, I ended up taking the kids on the bus (for the first time) to a RMV branch at the local mall. God bless public transportation. When I arrived at the RMV, I saw a sign on the wall which read, happy birthday, andthe Registry no longer sends out license expiration reminders, so please checks your license.
The night before, I had gone through my old journals to read other interesting entries from (or around) prior birthdays. One birthday (also a Friday made famous by a movie) my wallet got stolen, and my present was minus $500 in my bank account. During another birthday, a good friend I hadn't seen in a few years because he was in Japan, blew into town unexpectedly and took me to a lovely brunch. Yesterday, was the first one I spent with my kids, very nice indeed.
Monday, May 11, 2009
Sunday, May 10, 2009
A Beat In Time Reminds Me of Mine
I was at a house party at my sisters' place for a friend of theirs, and the friend's husband was the D.J. This was the end to a day that had started at a low point and had been steadily improving.
A first, the music has mostly gone to waste, as the speakers on hand were more suited for an office desktop than a party. Then I returned with the D.J. to pick up his own, industrial strength (think rock concert) speakers. That changed everything. Once "Murder She Wrote" (an old reggae tune by Chaka Demus & Pliers) came on, everyone hit the dance floor. I even managed to pull my usually dance-shy wife on to the floor. As I sang along, she asked aloud to all how, I managed to know all the words.
I only smiled and told her it was an old tune. In my mind I drifted back to different summer. One of my youth. When I drove a burnt-sienna, 1978 Audi 5000, and a the tape deck had the same song playing. I remember driving at night past the front of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology on the way from work, with my hand tapping against the front of the sunroof. The stars were out, and the beat of the city filled the air.
Back at the party, I took my wife in my arms and pulled her closed and boggled to the swinging beat.
A first, the music has mostly gone to waste, as the speakers on hand were more suited for an office desktop than a party. Then I returned with the D.J. to pick up his own, industrial strength (think rock concert) speakers. That changed everything. Once "Murder She Wrote" (an old reggae tune by Chaka Demus & Pliers) came on, everyone hit the dance floor. I even managed to pull my usually dance-shy wife on to the floor. As I sang along, she asked aloud to all how, I managed to know all the words.
I only smiled and told her it was an old tune. In my mind I drifted back to different summer. One of my youth. When I drove a burnt-sienna, 1978 Audi 5000, and a the tape deck had the same song playing. I remember driving at night past the front of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology on the way from work, with my hand tapping against the front of the sunroof. The stars were out, and the beat of the city filled the air.
Back at the party, I took my wife in my arms and pulled her closed and boggled to the swinging beat.
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Poor Chelsea
After holding on to a one goal lead (scored in the ninth minute) against Barcelona, Chelsea became the victim of a most tragic end. Barcelona scored the go-ahead goal to take them to the final against Manchester United on May 27, sending Chelsea packing. It's gives a whole new meaning to, it ain't over 'til the fat lady sings!
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
The Specter of the GOP
I didn't think anything could make me say WOW regarding the GOP after John McCain picked his running mate. Then Arlen Specter became a Democrat. I think that's right up there with Kobe Bryant all of a sudden playing for the Celtics.
On one hand it's a clever and shrewd political move. On the other hand, it's entirely possible that some in the Republican party may be believing stories of it's demise. I personally don't believe that, and as a Democrat, wouldn't want that. After all I wouldn't want the Obama Administration to slip into the same complacency that the Bush Administration did. I'm very wary of one party having all the cards at the table.
Still, I can't help but thinking it's more about the reality of politics than anything else. I think a lot of politician on both sides of the aisle would really like to bask in the Obama glow, regardless of whether they're Obamacans or Obama-can'ts. I think there might be more credulity in a life-long Republican who moves a bit more to the center, than a Republican who become a Democrat. Unless it's more of a statement to the Republicans, than inferred carte blanche for the Democrats. I suspect the Republicans have gotten the message loud and clear at this point.
On one hand it's a clever and shrewd political move. On the other hand, it's entirely possible that some in the Republican party may be believing stories of it's demise. I personally don't believe that, and as a Democrat, wouldn't want that. After all I wouldn't want the Obama Administration to slip into the same complacency that the Bush Administration did. I'm very wary of one party having all the cards at the table.
Still, I can't help but thinking it's more about the reality of politics than anything else. I think a lot of politician on both sides of the aisle would really like to bask in the Obama glow, regardless of whether they're Obamacans or Obama-can'ts. I think there might be more credulity in a life-long Republican who moves a bit more to the center, than a Republican who become a Democrat. Unless it's more of a statement to the Republicans, than inferred carte blanche for the Democrats. I suspect the Republicans have gotten the message loud and clear at this point.
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